The Democratic National Committee governs the Democratic Party. The Republican National Committee governs the Republican Party. And the Prohibition National Committee governs the Prohibition Party. That political party was formed in 1869 and continues to exist today.
Current Status
The current status of the Prohibition Party is unclear. A small faction of the Prohibition Party says it is the Party. A larger group says it represents the Prohibition National Committee. That committee governs the Party.
The Committee reported that
“An alleged ‘2003 nominating convention’ of the Prohibition Party was held at the Chairman’s home in Lakewood, Colorado on June 12-13, 2003. Some members of the National Committee were not notified in advance that the meeting was being held, and others were told by Chairman Earl F. Dodge that they would not be admitted. Eight people were present: Chairman Dodge, his two daughters, and five other members supportive of Dodge. In addition to failing to observe the By-Laws requirement for prior notification, there was not a quorum.”1
The Prohibition National Committee declared all actions of that illegal meeting null and void.
Earl Dodge
The split in the party apparently arose from allegations that Earl Dodge had misused Prohibition Party funds. It was also charged that Chairman Dodge kept secrets from party members. That he refused to give the treasurer any information about finances. That he repeatedly stole property from party members and others. And there were other problems.
The majority group ran Gene Amondson as its presidential candidate during the 2004 election. Long-time Party presidential candidate Earl Dodge died in 2007. He had led the minority. Amondson was left the sole Party candidate for that office in the 2008 election. In 2012, the candidates were Jack Fellure for president and Toby Davis for vice president.
The Party’s organizational structure is simple. It’s the Prohibition National Committee plus the National Prohibition Foundation. Also the Partisan Prohibition Historical Society, the Action!, the Prohibitionists’ caucus, and all state and local affiliates.
Reference
The National Prohibitionist, June, 2003, p. 1
See Also